General Beauregard Signed Cipher-Written Telegram, Ordering an Attack

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BEAUREGARD, PIERRE G. T. (1818 - 1893) Confederate major general who initiated the attack on Fort Sumter that started the Civil War. He also led with distinction at First Bull Run, Shiloh, and in the defense of Richmond.Autograph Letter Signed, "G.T. Beauregard, Gen'l Commdg" on Confederate States, Head-quarters Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia, datelined Drury's Bluff, May 15th, 1864, 12h 15m. Beauregard is sending orders to Major General Whiting, then at Petersburg. The cipher telegram has been decoded. We will put parenthesis around the cipher. In full, "I shall (attack enemy) in (front ) to(orrow) at (daybreak) by )River Road) to (cut him off) from his (Bermuda Base.) You will take up (your position) to(night) at (Swift Creek) with (Wise's, Martin's, Dearing's and two regiments) of (Colquitt's brigade) with about (twenty field pieces) under Col. Jones. At (daybreak) you will march to (Port Waltham Junction) and when (you hear) an (engagement) in (your front) you will (advance boldly) and (rapidly) by the shortest road in the direction of (heaviest firing) to (attack) enemy in (rear) or (flank). You will protect your (advance) and (flanks) with (Dearing's cavalry) taking necessary precautions to (distinguish friends) from (foes. Please communicate this to General Hill.) This revokes all former orders of movements."

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